[The molecular biology of bladder carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
The clinical course of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder can be difficult to predict due to its potential to invade the muscle layer and/or develop to a high grade lesion. Bladder carcinoma can arise from genetic changes that may activate the oncogenes (-c-erbB2, c-erbB1, c-myc, ras, etc.) and/or inactivate the suppressor genes (p53, Rb). The aim of the present study is to continue a study protocol on the molecular biology of bladder tumors.


RESULTS
From January, 1993 to January, 1995, 85 patients were studied. These patients were divided into two groups: the first group comprised 14 controls of urothelial tissue and the second comprised 65 cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. p53 expression was determined by an immunohistochemical method (NCL-p53-DO7 monoclonal antibody). Quantification of the p8 oncoprotein in cytosol and EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) in membrane was performed by ELISA (Oncogene Science) and RIA (Vienna Lab), respectively. A statistically significant relationship between the expression of p53 and EGFR with tumor stage and grade was found. Quantification of p185 and EGFR showed higher values in the tumor tissue than in the control samples, but a worse survival could not be determined.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study shows that p53 expression can be considered to be a prognostic factor. It provides useful information on the aggressive behaviour of the tumor and has a direct relation with the survival rates.
Moreno Sierra
J
J
Cátedra de Urología, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España.
Maestro de las Casas
M L
ML
Chicharro Almarza
J
J
Ortega Heredia
M D
MD
López García-Asenjo
J
J
Merino Sánchez
C
C
Blanco Jiménez
E
E
Silmi Moyano
A
A
Rsesel Estévez
L
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018739:Oncogene Proteins v-erbB / Q000032:analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000737:chemistry; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D019459:Urothelium / Q000737:chemistry
D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D018739:Oncogene Proteins v-erbB; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
Biología molecular del carcinoma vesical.